350 path labs in city unauthorized: Survey

Nagpur: A sort of major medical scam is gaining ground in the Orange City right under the nose of Nagpur Municipal Corporation. The city, which is a medical hub, has more than 600 pathology labs and more than 350 of them are unauthorized ones, which may come up with wrong readings of patients’ blood sugar and HB level, making their lives miserable.
This was revealed by a survey conducted in several municipal corporations of the state by Maharashtra Association of Practicing Pathologists and Microbiologists (MAPPM). Apart from their internal survey, the MAPPM also sought information from the health department of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) about the number of registered path labs in the city.

“To our surprise, NMC’s list has names of just 200 path labs which is not even 25% of the total number of the labs in the city,” said MAPPM president Sandeep Yadav.

In Nagpur, registration of pathology labs with public health department of the NMC is conducted on voluntary basis by lab owners. Only those labs complying with all government norms make it a point to register themselves with NMC. Other labs don’t bother to register with the civic authorities. Interestingly, the NMC is not following this issue very seriously, Yadav said.

“We conducted survey at municipal corporation of several cities in Maharashtra. In Nashik, the local civic body surveyed every pathology lab and conducted registrations. Total 453 labs were registered in Nashik city. Nagpur must have more than 600 labs. But, the list provided by NMC has nearly 200 names only,” Yadav said.

According to Dr Prasad Kulkarni, who filed RTI queries across the state, most municipal corporations don’t pay heed to this illegal business. “There are four categories in pathology labs. First, unorganized labs which we call slum-based labs. Second, the labs run by technicians only, while third is labs where pathologists are not present. Fourth, only authorized labs run by qualified pathologists having PG degree and MCI registration. If Patients become aware about illegal practices, it may change the scenario,” Kulkarni said.

A senior official from NMC’s health department accepted that department of medical education and drugs had directed municipal corporations across the state to come up with a complete list of the pathology labs running under their jurisdiction and facilities available there.

“It’s a continuous process. The NMC will soon have details of all path labs with it. However, at present we have 200 path labs registered with us. We have all details about certifications of these labs,” said the official.

What patients should ask for

* According to existing laws, only PG degree holders in pathology are authorized to run laboratories

* Technicians having diploma (DMLT) can take readings and conduct tests but not authorized to analyse or sign report

* Patients should confirm the availability of PG degree holder authority who is signing the report and try to get the report analysed from the person

* Pathologists should be available for patients’ queries on the report